No panic over Foyle/Ebrington co-location

THE omission of the Foyle and Londonderry/Ebrington co-location project from a list of schools to be funded through a £23m Department of Education capital roll-out this year is no cause for panic say those closest to the scheme.

Foyle Governor Robin Young and Ebrington head Nigel Dougherty both agreed the long-awaited project's progress was not dependant on a capital allocation in this financial year.

Eyebrows were raised when Education Minister, Caitrona Ruane, last week announced that up to 23million could be spent on schools during the rest of this year but none in Londonderry.

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But Mr Young - one of those leading the Foyle/Ebrington project - said there was no cause for dismay and that he was confident of a

funding allocation next year when, crucially, the co-location development will be put out to tender.

He told the Sentinel: "Basically, the Foyle and Ebrington projects weren't ready to go to tender yet, so we did not really expect to get funding this year."

"We do expect to be ready to go to tender by Christmas or early in the New Year in time for the next fiscal year," he said.

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Mr Dougherty, who in June expressed confidence the scheme would survive a DE budget clawback of up to 84m, concurred with his colleague and reiterated his belief the co-location would receive adequate funding.

"We weren't really expecting it in this financial year to be honest," he explained. "Maybe we had hoped for some funds for clearance of the site but really we felt it would be next year's capital round before we get funding."

"We would be very disappointed if we didn't get it when the money becomes available in 2010/11. But I don't think it is a setback," he said.

Fears were sparked in the Waterside when the Education Minister last week confirmed that her Department had received a 13million capital allocation as a result of the June Monitoring Round agreed by the Executive and that a further 10million had been identified to tackle the maintenance backlog in schools but none of the capital spend would be allocated in the city.

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"Some schools will be disappointed that they are not included on this list. I can assure them that I will continue to lobby for more money and if and when I receive funds I will drive forward with the school building programme," she said.

But those driving the replacement of the 50 year-old Ebrington building and the overdue migration of Foyle to the Waterside are not amongst the disappointed.

Mr Young explained all the indications from the Department and from local political representatives was that the co-location would go ahead as planned and that it would receive full support.

"All the vibes and indications we've been getting from the Department and the Minister have been very positive," he said.

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"The Minister and Margaret Ritchie were up to see a presentation in the Waterside Theatre in February and were incredibly supportive. After all Foyle have been waiting to move for 15 years and it's long overdue."